The evaluation of possible melanoma risk groups of patients in a series of pigmented naevi. Clinical and histological intercorrelations.

The trends of the clinical/histological intercorrelations in two series of pigmented naevi have been compared. One series of naevi represents patients who are habitual sunbathers and/or who have travelled to Southern sunny climates. The other series includes naevi from easily sunburned patients. The sunburner-group is correlated to histological features such as mitoses, atypia and fibrosis of the tumour as well as to an irregular/atypical tumour type. Such trends are not found in the other target group. The sunburners have a poor ability to suntan, while the sunbather group includes good suntanners. This indicates the importance of the melanin UV-filter effect of the skin as a protection against the promotion of potential MM-precursors, such as irregular/atypical naevi.